title: Low-grade serous ovarian cancer: a unique disease.
abstract: Low-grade serous carcinomas represent approximately 10% of all serous ovarian carcinomas. A growing body of research has demonstrated several important differences between the clinical and molecular characteristics of these tumors and those of high-grade serous ovarian carcinomas. Patients with low-grade serous ovarian tumors are diagnosed at a younger age, have a longer overall survival, and have lower response rates to conventional chemotherapy. In addition, low-grade serous ovarian carcinomas have pathologic and molecular characteristics distinct from high-grade serous carcinomas, yet similar to serous tumors of low malignant potential. This suggests a common pathogenesis and a continuum of disease from serous tumors of low malignant potential to low-grade serous carcinomas. Further study, focusing specifically on low-grade serous carcinomas, is needed to determine the role of other chemotherapeutic agents, hormonal therapy, or targeted biologic agents in the treatment of this disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, PO Box 301439, Unit 1362, Houston, TX 77230, USA.
authors.forename: Kathleen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Schmeler
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Gershenson
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018284:Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000379:methods*; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy / Q000379:methods; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D010053:Ovary / Q000473:pathology; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents